Case Study: Improved efficiency and effectiveness

Improved efficiency and effectiveness

The Care Aims Framework was introduced to an adult learning disability service in July 2008, with 51 staff being offered training in the approach in 2010.

Assessment methods

An internal report assessed the impact of the introduction of the Care Aims Framework in 2008, with the subsequent training assessed through pre-course questionnaires, immediate post-course evaluations of the training and questionnaires a year after the initial training.

Perceived benefits

Team confidence in the use of the advanced clinical reasoning terminology

Improved understanding in the nature of the duty of care and clinical risk

Enhanced knowledge about caseloads

Greater confidence in managing episodes of care and clinical decision making

More effective systems in place to ensure efficient delivery of care

Greater consistency in clinical delivery

Improved referrals processes to ensure suitable referrals

More efficient and effective service

Greater clarity for service users about what the service could and could not offer

Greater understanding for service users of clinical risk, duty of care and the clinical pathway through which they would travel

Quantitative outcomes

48% increase in throughput

Reduced time for service users on caseload: down from an average of 23 months to 12 months

Reduced caseloads: The active caseload for the team reduced by 41% over two years

Improved knowledge of waiting lists

Reduced waiting lists: the number of people waiting for assessment and intervention had reduced by 77% over a two-year period, despite a 159% increase in referrals

Reduced number of clients requiring indefinite support

96% of respondents found the training impacted positively on their practise